available . these weapons , when used on open ground and combined with the superior mobility provided by horses to surround and engage groups of ab ##ori ##gin ##es , often proved successful . the europeans also had to adapt their tactics to fight their fast @ - @ moving , often hidden enemies . tactics employed included night @ - @ time surprise attacks , and positioning forces to drive the natives off cliffs or force them to retreat into rivers while attacking from both banks . the conflict lasted for over 150 years and followed the pattern of british settlement in australia . beginning in new south wales with the arrival of the first europeans in may 1788 , it continued in sydney and its surrounds
available. these weapons, when used on open ground and combined with the superior mobility provided by horses to surround and engage groups of aborigines, often proved successful. the europeans also had to adapt their tactics to fight their fast @ - @ moving, often hidden enemies. tactics employed included night @ - @ time surprise attacks, and positioning forces to drive the natives off cliffs or force them to retreat into rivers while attacking from both banks. the conflict lasted for over 150 years and followed the pattern of british settlement in australia. beginning in new south wales with the arrival of the first europeans in may 1788, it continued in sydney and its surrounds